HI Ive had Urticaria for 12years had a 2 year remission on that time but other than that pretty solidly ill. Im one of the unlucky ones I show no improvement to any drugs Ive tried or been prescribed . Any one else in this situation?

Im on a low salicate diet I stay away from wheat the only fruit I eat are pears and apples (only Golden Delicious) melons , no e numbers or colous etc ,no processed foods, only tetly Tbags , I eat all cheeses although I have recently found that strong cheeses may not be allowed. Has anyone else found this diet to help or similar? Or what diets are you on ?

Lastly chineese medicine I live near Liverpool England which has a large Chineese community has anyone had a good/bad experience with this?

I suffered with chronic urticaria for 8 years along with a host of other symptoms such as migrains, fatigue, depression. Well...it turned out that I had lyme disease along with some other infections. Once I started treating for lyme the urticaria vanished. I have had some mile flare ups as I go through treatment but for the most part it is controlled and....I will never take prednisone again for as long as I live. Perhaps you should look into lyme disease or some other underlying infection.

If your liver detox pathways are not functioning correctly, this may contribute to chronic urticaria. You also might consider trying to find a Naturopathic Physician or Homeopathic Physician who can treat you systemically (without steroids). Chinese medicine may be helpful, but be careful if you have any allergies to foods or plants.

I was under the impression that all aged cheeses were off limits on the low-histamine diet, but I could be wrong...

There is a great Lyme forum here at HealingWell ~ http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30If you post your question on how to find a doctor with experience treating Lyme on that forum, along with your location (state is usually good enough, no need to list town unless you can't travel very far), I'm sure someone there will be able to offer suggestions.

Just a note to let the Moderator know I have not "checked out". I am still in withdrawal from the Klonopin I was on,bbut doing a little better with some of that but the hives have increasingly gotten worse. I have had these for over 8 years now. I have only been taking benadryl recently because I am afraid to take any other medication due to the Klonopin withdrawal. I am suffering severly from these hives everyday and everynight still.

Stopping the Klonopin causes severe withdrawal and hypersensitivy to everything; ie, sounds, feelings of clothes on the skin is terrible, etc etc. I am at my wits end because the withdrawal can last up and past 1 year. I still don't know what is causing my hives and have no insurance or money to go see anymore doctors.

just want everyone to know that I feel for you all with this condition. Know one knows the agony we all go through with this. I'm hanging on but it's difficult.